JOHN and Johanna Fallen thought they’d had a lucky escape when their daughter Bethany was saved after suffering a seizure.

But little more than a year later they found themselves back at the same ­intensive care unit at Yorkhill, Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children – but this time it was their second daughter, Ella, who was fighting for her life.

For manufacturing manager John, 41, and his wife Johanna, who live in Hamilton, it was an all-too familiar case of deja vu when Ella was transferred there in much the same way that her sister had been.

They even had the same nurse.

Bethany had suffered a cerebral ­convulsion at the end of June 2010 and was rushed to Hairmyres Hospital in nearby East Kilbride, then taken to ­intensive care at Yorkhill.

John said: “She was almost two at the time and it was a big worry because she was unconscious for 45 minutes.

“It’s more common for children to regain consciousness within about 10 minutes.

“Doctors thought it was due to a virus – but it was very worrying.

“When you’re in intensive care you do feel for the other kids you see in a worse situation. We were so grateful when Bethany recovered and just hoped we’d never have to go through that again.”

But their worst fears were realised in September 2011 when Ella became ill with strep pneumonia.

Like Bethany, she was taken to Hairmyres, then transferred to Wishaw General Hospital – but as her throat began to close up she was taken to Yorkhill and put in a sleep-induced coma.

John said: “Her throat had started closing and there was a worry that doctors wouldn’t be able to get a tube in to help her breathe.

“It was the same nurse who’d come for Bethany who came with the team to pick up Ella and take her to Yorkhill.

“It all came back to me what had happened before and although we were worried for Ella, we knew that she was going to the best possible place.

“Even though you know your child is seriously ill you still see other kids in a worse situation. But Yorkhill treat every one with the same priority – it was fantastic to see them in action.

“You’re so happy that they’re in the best place and yet you are also aware of the pain and suffering among the other families.

“We’d been through it before and we knew how good they were. That helped us the second time with Ella – it was reassuring.

“You put your hope and faith in them. It’s not nice seeing your kid lying there – but they discuss any concerns you have.

“The staff would do anything for the relatives – they are brilliant.”

Just like her older sister, Ella recovered and was allowed home after just eight days in hospital.

John said: “It was such a relief that she made a recovery too. Leaving hospital was a sign they were getting back to normal. Both made full recoveries and I saw first-hand the dedication, ­professionalism and personal caring touch of all the staff in intensive care – it was truly amazing.

“When parents are going through the most difficult times, the Yorkhill staff become the rock they need to lean on, and what a tremendous job they do.

“My experience made me want to give something back to the hospital so I raised some money. I raised £400 and my employers – William Grant & Sons – matched it with another £400.

“I wanted to raise money for the hospital to help patients that go there in the future.

“It was a small token compared to what the hospital gave me when caring for my children. They are true heroes.”

Far from being terrified of hospital wards, Bethany and Ella are showing signs of wanting to go back in the future – but this time to join the doctors and nurses who deliver the world class care their patients deserve.

John said: “They bandage their toys and dress up as nurses so they can make them better again.

“After what they’ve been through it would be fantastic if they worked in the medical profession one day.

“It’s not a job, it’s a vocation that takes dedication, but if my kids could go into it in the future I’d be very proud of them.”

?To find out more on how to help improve children’s lives at the hospital, visit the Yorkhill Children’s ­Foundation at www.yorkhill.org